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Basketball court sizes vary based on level of play and available space. Organized leagues have standard sizes, while outdoor and recreational courts vary more. Important dimensions include rim height, free throw line distance, key width, and 3-point arc distance. The NBA and WNBA have similar court dimensions, while FIBA uses the metric system and has a farther 3-point line. College and high school courts are mostly the same as the NBA, with shorter 3-point lines and narrower keys.
The size of a basketball court can vary based on factors such as the level of basketball that is played on it or, in some cases, the space available. The courts used in organized leagues typically have a standard size based on the rules of those leagues. Basketball courts in buildings such as elementary schools, community centers, and churches are often smaller than a standard size, especially in older buildings. Outdoor courts used for recreational basketball vary even more in size and are often only half courts. Most full-size fields are 70 to 94 feet (21.34 to 28.65 m) long and 40 to 50 feet (12.19 to 15.24 m) wide, with the length-to-width ratio usually a little less than 2 to 1.
Other important basketball court dimensions include the height of the rim, the distance from the free throw line, the width of an area near the basket called the key, and the distance from the 3-point arc. The edge of the circle has a diameter of 18 inches (45.72 cm) and is attached to a game board. Except on courts designed for youth basketball, the rim of the basket is always 10 feet (3.05 m) high. For juniors, the hoop is lower, with the exact height varying based on the age of the players. All other basketball court dimensions typically vary according to league or organization rules.
American professional leagues
In the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), the North American professional leagues for men and women, respectively, most basketball court dimensions are the same. The field itself is 94 feet (28.65 m) long and 50 feet (15.24 m) wide. The free-throw line is 15 feet (4.57 m) from the backboard and the key – the area from the free-throw line to the endline – is 16 feet (4.88 m) wide.
One of the few differences between the NBA and WNBA courts is the distance from the 3-point arc. In the WNBA, he stands 20 feet 6.25 inches (6.25 m) from the center of the basket. The 3-point line in the NBA is 22 feet (6.71 m) from the basket to the sides of the court and 23 feet 9 inches (7.24 m) at the top of the key. The NBA 3-point gap is shorter on the sides to give players at least 3 feet (0.91 m) of space between the 3-point line and the side of the court. Therefore, the line runs straight out of the baseline until it meets what would be a full arc 23 feet, 9 inches (7.24 m) from the basket, at which point it assumes a semi-circular shape until it straightens again 3 feet (0.91 m) ) ) from the other sideline.
International Basketball Federation
According to the rules of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA), which govern most levels of professional and amateur basketball outside of North America and some events in North America, most basketball court dimensions are based on the metric system . An exception is the height of the basket, which is 10 feet (3.05 m). FIBA standard courts are 91 feet, 10.36 inches (28 m) long and 49 feet, 23.55 inches (15 m) long. The free-throw line is 15 feet, 1.11 inches (4.6 m) from the backboard and the key is 16 feet, 0.9 inches (4.9 m) wide. Prior to October 2010, FIBA used a keystone wrench that was wider at the baseline and narrower at the free throw line.
Another change FIBA made in 2010 was to move the 3-point line back. Prior to this rule change, since 20 it was 6.25 feet 6.25 inches (1984 inches) away. When the rule was implemented, the FIBA 3-point line took on a similar shape to that of the NBA, with straight lines on the sides and an arc at the top. The distance is 21 feet 7.84 inches (6.6 m) from the center of the basket on each side and 22 feet 1.75 inches (6.75 m) at the top.
Colleges and High Schools
For colleges and high schools in the United States, basketball court dimensions are mostly the same as those used in the NBA. The major exception is the distance to the 3-point line: 20 feet, 9 inches (6.32 m) for colleges and 19 feet, 9 inches (6.02 m) for high schools. Additionally, the key is only 12 feet (3.66 m) wide.
